791-234 Ecological Analysis

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Chemistry I; Introduction to Resource Conservation, Australian Ecosystems I.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to:

• expand the student's knowledge of laboratory techniques and enhance their technical skills;

• develop the student's understanding of the analytical and field techniques involved in soil, water, plant and general ecological analysis; and

• develop the student's ability to derive experimental data form field and laboratory analysis, and to apply this information to problem solving and management decision-making in natural and disturbed ecosystems.

The content includes the biogeochemistry of natural and disturbed ecosystems; nutrient and energy cycling processes in natural and disturbed ecosystems; analysis of soil, plant and water samples, and the interpretation of derived data; and nutrient cycling with water budgeting, resource inventory of abiotic and biotic resources in ecosystems.

Assessment

2-hour written examination (25%); two assignments (10% and 55%); attendance and participation marks (10%).